Congresswoman Waters and Senator Clinton Commemorate 10th Anniversary of Minority AIDS Initiative

July 21, 2009

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-35) and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (NY) have introduced resolutions – H. Con. Res. 426 and S. Con. Res. 103 respectively – to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Minority AIDS Initiative.

"Recent CDC figures show clearly the devastating impact HIV continues to have on minority communities, with new infections among black and Hispanic populations at unacceptably high levels. We must ensure that prevention efforts are reaching at-risk populations and we cannot ignore disparities in treatment and care," said Senator Clinton. "This resolution serves as a call to recommit ourselves to doing all that we can to combat stigma, improve awareness, and take the necessary steps to reverse and halt the spread of HIV and AIDS in our communities of color."

"The Minority AIDS Initiative has unquestionably saved lives, especially within America's minority communities, which are disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS. While we commemorate the 10th anniversary of this important initiative, we realize that the AIDS epidemic continues to take a heavy toll. We must continue to target funds for treatment and prevention to minority communities," said Congresswoman Waters.

Congresswoman Waters led efforts within the U.S. House of Representatives to establish the Minority AIDS Initiative during her tenure as Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), realizing that the AIDS epidemic was increasingly affecting the nation's ethnic and racial minority communities. She currently chairs the CBC AIDS Task Force and has continued her efforts to expand the Minority AIDS Initiative and increase funding for it.

Senator Clinton has been a vocal advocate of the need for prevention, testing and early treatment in order to combat the AIDS epidemic in the United States. She has led the push to increase appropriations for domestic AIDS funding in the Senate, encompassing prevention and treatment efforts at multiple agencies. She introduced the Early Treatment for HIV Act, which will allow low-income individuals with HIV to access Medicaid before they become ill.

The Minority AIDS Initiative received an initial appropriation of $156 million in fiscal year 1999 and currently is funded at approximately $400 million per year.

    Racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS. African-Americans account for about half of new AIDS cases, although approximately 13 percent of the population as a whole is black. Hispanic-Americans account for 19 percent of new AIDS cases, although only 15 percent of the population as a whole is Hispanic. Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders account for 1 percent of new AIDS cases, and Native Americans and Alaskan Natives account for up to 1 percent of new AIDS cases. Approximately 70 percent of new AIDS cases are racial and ethnic minorities.

    The establishment of the Minority AIDS Initiative was announced on October 28, 1998 at an event sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus. The event featured the participation of President Bill Clinton, Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala, members of the Congressional Black Caucus, and representatives of HIV/AIDS service and advocacy organizations. Congress codified the Minority AIDS Initiative within the most recent reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act. Today, the Minority AIDS Initiative continues to fills gaps in prevention, treatment, surveillance, infrastructure, outreach and education across communities of color.

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Contact: Michael Levin
202-225-2201